Hair loss, of some degree, is an unfortunate fact of life for nearly all men. Men of all ages and nationalities are subject to hair loss, with very few being exempt from this harsh reality.
There are various reasons for hair loss: illness, nutritional deficiencies, extreme stress, medications, etc., but the most common cause is male pattern baldness (MPB). It is recognized by the typical horseshoe pattern of hair, which surrounds either thinning or baldness on the top and sides of the head, and accounts for 95% of hair loss in men. Many men who suffer from MPB begin losing hair by the time they are twenty years old, and by age thirty-five, two thirds of men have some degree of substantial hair loss. By age fifty, 80% to 90% have significantly thinner hair, if not complete baldness.
As normal as MPB is, it’s not something we take lightly, and it often causes great distress for many men. It can interfere with our personal and professional lives; robbing some of the confidence we once had with a full head of hair. But, today, we have an advantage over generations before us, due to the progress science has made in the field of alopecia or hair loss this past decade.
In this article, I’m going to explain what causes MPB, and share the latest information about treatment.
The official name for MPB is androgenetic alopecia. It is caused by genetics, so there’s not a whole lot we can do to avoid it if we have the gene. Chances are if there’s a lot of baldness in your family, you’re predisposed to hair loss. The hormone testosterone, the very hormone that is responsible for making us masculine and hairier than women, teams up with another hormone, DHEA, and together they produce androgens – a type of hormone. With the help of the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase, androgens convert into a substance called dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT’s role is to stimulate blood flow to the hair follicle, promoting hair growth.
Eventually, things begin to backfire, and the follicle’s receptors become oversensitive to DHT and cause the follicle to shut down. Basically, the follicles become overloaded with DHT and refuse to accept anymore. Although the entire process is not completely understood, the once beneficial DHT becomes the enemy, suppressing follicles and causing them to shrink; reducing blood flow and preventing them from generating new hair. The male pattern baldness sufferer actually inherited hair follicles that are sensitive to DHT – which is the genetic link.
Sensitive hair follicles must be exposed to DHT for extended periods of time before they reach the point of inactivity. Fortunately, if treated early with proper intervention, alopecia can be slowed and possibly even stopped, enabling the follicles to regrow hair. The only medically effective and proven way to arrest hair loss is to lower DHT levels.
Medicine has made great strides in the treatment of men’s hair loss. The drug, finasteride, whose brand names are Proscar and Propecia, is the most effective medication for MPB on the market today, and is recommended by The American Hair Loss Association as the first line of attack. Originally a medication for the treatment of enlarged prostate glands, finasteride has been proven effective for MPB, as well. It works by inhibiting the production of 5-alpha-reductace, thus eliminating the production of DHT. However, finasteride is not free from side effects, including sexual dysfunction and depression, so, as with any drug – the benefits need to be weighed against the risks. It is a prescription medication that your doctor will have to prescribe.
Minoxidil, the first drug approved by the FDA for hair loss, takes a back seat to finasteride in effectiveness, and is used in topical liquid solutions such as Rogaine and other similar products. Minoxidil is a nonprescription medication, which comes in two different strengths, 2% and 5%, and must be used twice a day. It is only effective for hereditary hair loss. In medical studies, 40–75% of men who used Minoxidil for 12 months reported new hair growth. The downsides are it often takes up to four months to know if it’s working or not, and you must continue to always use it because once you stop, the hair returns to pre-treatment status.
Many men have opted to use the herb Saw Palmetto instead of medication. Although there have been no studies proving its effectiveness, many are reaping the benefits of this herb, which mimics finasteride, without the adverse side effects. 320 mg. taken daily on an empty stomach is showing promising results, however, it, too, may take up to four months before regrowing hair. Saw Palmetto can be found in health food stores, and the supplement section of pharmacies and grocery stores, in addition to online.
Another treatment option is surgical hair restoration, better known as hair transplant, which has come a long way over the years. The procedure takes DHT resistant hair from the back of your own scalp and transplants it into the balding areas. It is not without its pitfalls, and should only be performed by reputable doctors.
If you are experiencing hair loss that is not male pattern baldness, and don’t know why it is happening, see a doctor. Endocrinologists, Dermatologists, Trichologists and General Practitioners are the types of doctors who typically treat hair loss.
Living with noticeable hair loss is no longer necessary. Do your research and talk with your doctor about the different available treatments. Remember that early treatment is key to successful treatment. The American Hair Loss Association has a wealth of information and can be found online at www.americanhairloss.org.
by Aaron Marino
